in the Lord. It should be religious ; arising out of the conviction that such obedience is the will of the Lord. This makes it a higher service than if rendered from fear or from mere natural affection. It secures its being prompt, cordial and universal. That Κύριος here refers to Christ is plain from the whole context. In the preceding chapter, v. 21, we have the general exhorta- tion under which this special direction to children is included, and the obedience there required is to be ren- dered in the fear of Christ. In the following verses also Κύριος constantly has this reference, and therefore must have ithere. The ground of the obligation to filial obedience is expressed in the words, for this 2s reght. It is not because of the personal character of the parent, nor because of his kindness, nor on the ground of ex- pediency, but because it is γέρλέ; an obligation arising out of the nature of the relation between parents and children, and which must exist wherever the relation itself exists.
V. 2. This consideration is enforced by a reference to the express command of God. The duty is so im- portant as to be included in that brief summary of the moral law given by God on Mount Sinai. It was en- graven by the finger of God on the tables of stone, Honour thy father and thy mother. Any flagrant breach of this command was, according to the Mosaic law, punished with death. Zo honour is to reverence ; and, therefore, the command has reference to the inward feeling as well as to the outward conduct. This pre- cept is said to be πρώτη; ἐν ἐπαγγελίᾳ. This may mean,